11

-January 20, 2014-

He asked Sam to come with him, citing the need to do some brotherly bonding or some other cheesy crap. Of course, Sam know something was up if he wanted to spend time together, just the two of them. They had a full house to look after Robbie, who was almost four months now, and Adam was actually really good with him. After a week, Adam and Kevin became good friends. Given their circumstances were similar, smart, had a normal life, dragged into the supernatural world against their will, they got along swimmingly. They were going to try to go to the same school, as Adam wanted to continue his pre-med courses and become a doctor, or something like that.

He drove them to a diner first when they came close to the place he wanted to go to. Skipping breakfast was not a good idea, but he was so nauseous about what he was going to do today, he couldn't eat at the bunker. Once they ordered, Sam gave him the classic bitchface, the 'you want to talk so talk already' look.

Taking a deep breath, "you're probably wondering why I'm taking you out today."

"Yeah, I am. Did something in Hell happen that you need to tale about Dean? I mean, that place did a number on you and going back there was not going to be easy on you. You know I'm here for you."

"What? No…well, yeah, some shit went down there and we almost died a couple of times." he replied. This was unexpected.

"You sure Dean, because I know you and Cas glazed over some parts before you got to Adam. Was it the swamp Dean, cause Cas said he almost lost you there." Sam asked concerned.

"Well, I almost did, that place brought out the deepest saddest part of you, and I've had a sorry ass life, so there was plenty to hold me down. But Cas got me through it."

"Was it Alastair 's castle then, being back in that place? Look Dean, I had no idea that Bobby was being held there…if I did, we would have found another way to get you guys out."

He laughed and smiled at Sam, "no man, this isn't about Hell, or Purgatory. It's because I need my brother with me today. I'm going to need your support."

"Then why didn't you bring Cas?" Sam creased his forehead in worry, "you two didn't have a fight again did you?"

"Sammy, why do always assume it's something bad?" he asked.

"'cause it usually is, especially if you're treating me to brunch." Sam retorted.

He shook his head and rolled his eyes a little, "no Sam, it's because I need your opinion on getting wedding rings. I suck at stuff like this alright."

"Wait….did you say wedding rings? As in getting married marriage rings?"

Ok, this was getting tiresome, "no, I said cock rings," Sam looked horrified before he continued, "of course I meant wedding rings! Geesh."

Sam smiled stupidly with a huge grin, "that's great man! Finally! So you want my opinion on what kind of rings you guys should get?"

He shrugged, "yeah, I mean, I'm pretty sure what I want, but not so much on what he wants." Cas didn't wear any jewelry, and he didn't much either since they end up lost or a liability in a fight. "And also…well, I don't know how to put this other than I don't want a wedding wedding ya know? I want it simple."

Their food arrived and he dug in immediately as Sam replied, "simple how Dean, like simple ceremony? Or go to the court and do it there?"

After he chewed and swallowed, "that's what I mean Sam, I don't know. Do I look like a wedding planner here? All I know is that it should be simple. I don't even know if Cas even understands the significance of the thing." He looked down at that. That was his one concern, that Cas wouldn't understand what he was doing, what he was going through.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, making him look up at Sam, "Dean, it's significant to you, and because it is, it would be to him too." Sam withdrew his arm and began eating his omelet.

"I hope your right, because I don't want to look like an ass."

"Well, you're an ass already, so what would be the difference?"

Little brothers, pain in his ass. "Bitch."

"Jerk."

At the jewelry store, the clerk took out the men's rings and was about to get the woman's when Sam stopped her. Her eyebrows shot up but she remained professional and asked when they were getting married. Dean told her that Sam was his brother and she looked embarrassed. He hoped she learned a lesson on assuming things. Still she was nice and wasn't freaking out, which was his other concern.

He wanted a silver one for himself, but a titanium one looked and felt better. He liked the weight of it. She pulled out some books and pictures of designs, and went over a slew of options. It was a lot, and he had butterflies in his stomach now. He was actually going through with this...these were wedding bands. Good thing Sam was here, to keep him grounded.

The clerk asked if there was picture of his fiancé, which made me feel weird. Fiancé was word he couldn't get past his tongue. Sam calmly took out his phone and showed her a picture.

"He's a handsome man sir," she said, "with his skin tone and blue eyes, I would suggest a gold, maybe rose gold. Do you want gem or a design, or even an engraving?"

"Uhhh….I don't know. Just simple." It was all he could say as his stomach was attempting to crawl out his throat.

She nodded, "if I can suggest, since you both have such beautiful eyes, you have a sapphire in yourS, emerald in his. A small cut gem, embedded into the band itself?"

Cas did have amazing eyes, and even before they hopped into bed, they had these long stares with each other. It, it seemed right. "Yeah…that, that sounds awesome." Even Sam nodded in agreement. She helped them with the rest of the order and had it rushed. The sooner he can do this the better, cause his nerves were almost shot. And all they did was get wedding rings.

January 21

It would be Dean's birthday in a couple of days, and the plan was coming along nicely. It was a simple plan actually. Once they got Sam in it when he and Dean came back the previous day, he was more than willing to participate. But he wanted to still get a gift for Dean, seeing that is what couples are supposed to do. At least, from what he gathered from the TV and movies. So when Dean went to clean the weapons and do some training, he saw an opening to go shopping.

He would have wanted to bring Sam, but he was busy keeping a non-stop crying baby happy. Everyone else was busy, except for Benny. Charlie let him take her car and together, they went to a shopping center. Perhaps when the roads weren't all iced over, he would ask Dean to continue teaching him how to drive. Benny drove him to the mall and for a while, they just browsed around.

"Cas brotha, you have any idea what to get Dean?" Benny asked as they left the third store.

"To be honest, no. Dean already has everything he requires and I cannot think of an item that he would use." He spent the ride up here racking his brain for a gift, but still had nothing. Perhaps if he went through more stores, something would appeal to him.

Benny smiled, "it ain't about a gift he can use, it's the fact that it came from you that matters. It could be just a stuffed animal for all he cares. It's the thought that counts."

"I have heard of that phrase. Still, I want it to be something that would have meaning and purpose."

"Ok then, what's his interests?" Benny asked calmly.

"He likes weapons, prefers action movies, especially westerns, loves pie and rock." he summarized.

"'bout sums him up, so, look for something like that stuff. Get him…what are they called now, blu-rays?"

He shook his head, "no, I have thought of that but it did not seem personal enough. I wish there was something I could give him that could not be found anywhere else. Unique." Then an idea dawned on him. "Perhaps…there is a way."

"Way for what?"

He did not answer as he began walking to an area where there was no people. Once they were in an empty area, he prayed for Balthazar to come.

"Cassie brother, I don't mean to alarm you, but there's a vampire next to you." Balthazar said after he flew right in front of him.

He smiled at his brother, "Benny is not a threat, he is a friend Balthazar."

Balthazar arched his eyebrows, "you have a habit of making the most peculiar friends."

Benny extended his hand in friendship, "please you meet ya."

His brother looked at the extended hand curiously and ignored it, "so what's the problem this time? Is Dean being a bigger ass than usual? Cause if that's the case, just fuck it out."

Blushing from Balthazar's suggestion, "no, we are fine. I am actually gift shopping, and I need your help."

"Shopping? Well why didn't you say so in the first place. Maybe we can get a decent wardrobe apart from layered plaid."

"No, you misunderstand me Balthazar, I need your help yes, but not in shopping." He sighed, "I want to ask you if you can go back in time and retrieve a picture."

Balthazar looked puzzled, "a picture? You want me to jump back in time…for a picture?"

"I would consider it a personal favor brother…"

Balthazar rolled his eyes, "you two, so in love it's unbecoming Castiel." He sighed, "but you did get me out of the Thule dungeon, so yes, I'll do it. When, where and what is it?"

Smiling, he happily told his brother where he could find the picture he desired.

-January 24, 2014-

Once he woke up, he was surprised to find that Benny had made them all breakfast. Benny was the best cook they had by far, but when he served him a pig in a poke, he knew something was up. Everyone seemed a bit to cheerful today, like they had something planned surprised. He had that out of the loop feeling he didn't like. Still, he wasn't about to turn down awesome food.

The feeling never waned through the morning, but early afternoon, it was being accompanied by anxiety. Today was the day he was going to pick up the rings. Sam was coming with him again to get them even though he didn't ask him to come along. But he was so nervous, he couldn't even drive himself as the time came nearer. Sam drove and all the while on the he had a cold sweat and butterflies in his stomach.

Looking over at him, Sam asked, "dude, you ok?"

He put on the fakest smile, "great, just great."

Sam looked back at the road, "I haven't seen you this nervous…in forever." Sam paused as he fought down a wave of nausea. "You're still going through with this?"

"Of course I am! God, the sooner this is over with, I can go back to being normal." he groaned.

"Ok, well, have you thought about how you're going to do it?" He hadn't really, but someplace just the two of them. There was a promise of a hunt out near LA, and he thought it would be nice to do that there. Though, if he was acting like this just getting the rings, what they hell would he be like driving to actually propose?

"I thought about going on a hunt…there's possible demon omens near LA. Propose to him there…like at the Hollywood Sign or on the beach maybe?"

"You know, that's a good idea. Real good actually."

The rest of the ride was Sam going on about places to see and do there, but all he was thinking about was how he was going to do this. Before, or after the hunt. No, after of course...if they live. No, they'll live, it's a low life demon up to no good. He didn't even notice they pulled up to the store when Sam opened his door for him. The clerk was all smiles and bubbles when she handed him the rings, and he took them out of the box to look at them.

They were perfect, his fit him just right. The titanium band with a darker inner band that had a small square cut sapphire looked great. More importantly, it felt right. And Cas's, was a gold emerald mirror of his own ring. A complimentary pair the clerk said. Even Sam was impressed with how well they ended up. Now it was just a matter of giving it to Cas.

Once Dean was gone, he and Benny began working on Dean's birthday dinner. Eschewing the traditional cake, he baked pie. Several pies actually. He even made sure there was plenty of ice cream and whip cream as well. The plan was simple, have dinner, have pie, give the gift. Which he hoped Dean would like. So he asked a favor and bent time and space to get it, but hopefully Dean would like it.

He was surprised that Dean already had something planned, so he didn't have to bother of asking Sam to make up an excuse to get Dean out of the bunker. The past couple of days he has been acting odd, anxious even, though what about, he wasn't sharing with him at least. Sam had to know, because Sam was not concerned, not in the same way he was. He wasn't sure on how to proceed on that front, but for now, he would concentrate on getting these pies done.

When the brothers came back, Sam looked giddy with excitement, but Dean…Dean looked like he was becoming sick. He was pale and had a cold sweat. And when they saw each other, Dean looked both happy and terrified at the same time. However he sauntered into the kitchen when he saw the pecan pie cooling.

"Is that pie?" Dean asked practically drooling.

"No Dean, it is a figment of your imagination." he replied back sarcastically.

Dean smiled, "smells real…wait, is that another pie?"

It was his turn to smile, "apple, and I have a chocolate pie in the oven."

His eyes went dreamy, "pie….," then he snapped back to reality, "what for?"

"You honestly don't know?" Charlie asked when she came into the kitchen.

"No, I don't." Dean replied.

Sam came in after Charlie and simply said, "it's your birthday Dean."

He hadn't even realized that today was his birthday. In his life, too much crap was in the way to actually have a birthday celebration. He was lucky if dad remembered, and the older he got, he just had a night out and a women if he was lucky. The significance of getting the rings today though, and Cas baking him pie…he realized that this is what having a family, a real family must be like.

After shooing them all out, Cas and Benny served them dinner. And it was classy, with filet mignon, roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus. Which, he surprisingly ate and liked. Then the pies came out, with a slice of apple pie a la mode with a small candle on top. It was ridiculous but awesome at the same time, and he happily blew out the candle.

Most of the pie was gone, mostly into his stomach, and he was happy. It was nice and simple, exactly what he needed to distract his mind. He thanked everyone for the good time and looked over at Cas. Cas was looking anxious when he pulled out a small wrapped package.

"I wanted to get you something for your birthday Dean, but I didn't know what. This was the only thing I can think of. I hope you like it." Cas said nervously.

"I'll like it whatever it is Cas." He replied as he gently tore through the paper. Once that was off, he was looking at the back of a picture frame. Turning it over, he froze. It was the picture of him, Sam, Cas, Bobby, Ellen and Jo before they went on the ill-fated trip to Carthage. His voice level and small, he asked, "how…how did you get this? Bobby burned this Cas."

Cas looked down, "I asked Balthazar to go back and make a copy of it," he replied in sad voice.

This picture…meant a lot. Bobby burned it because of the pain it caused them all. It represented all their failures. But now, now it was something else. It was the last picture of Ellen and Jo, of them going off to stop the devil. The pain he felt before was gone, knowing now Jo didn't blame him for her death, and both her and her mother were in Heaven. So was Bobby, in his wheelchair looking defiant. Sam towering over them all and Cas. Cas in his trademark coat.

"I love it Cas." he whispered to him. This was it, this was the sign of signs and it was time. There was a trip he had to get ready for.